This article presents an academic debate surrounding the discovery of the first Lapita sites on the southern coast of New Guinea by McNiven and his colleagues, published in 2011. This discovery, considered a significant breakthrough in understanding the Lapita expansion, has sparked controversies, particularly regarding the methodology, terminology, and expertise in ceramics. The Forum brings together responses from other archaeologists, including a critical article by Jim Specht, who questions certain aspects of this research. The article also highlights the success of the McNiven-David team in a context of increasingly reduced funding for research projects.